We have been all wondering, how good is Unis Middle School’s football team? Well from the game they have experienced last week, they beat Salina 33-0, that’s a really big win. But will they win City Champs this year?, the 8th graders have been doing a great job, but what about the 7th graders, Will they really win this year?

This year we have new players to the field, the 7th graders. Hassan Sobh, one our new football players this year, states how he feels, “I feel very happy, it’s fun, and I really like to play scrimmage. The 7th graders are looking forward to a lot of things things this year,” I’m looking forward to getting all the wins as a team, so we can win City Championships”. Since these football players want to win City Championships, what are they working on to win?,” We are working on tackling, drills, exercising a lot, and doing many pushups”. For a lot of players their goal would be winning City Champs, “My goal would be getting a lot of tackles in a game, I want to get more than 4, I plan to practice just to accomplish it.”

Last years team wouldn’t be called the team that dominated, last year. The 8th graders cost us a lot of games last year, and the 7th graders last year got some wins. I talked to a football player from last year’s and now on this year’s team, Hussein Alsadi. We all have different opinions on this year’s team, some good, some bad, “I believe this year’s team is amazing because we are pushing ourselves physically and mentally to our best potential”. The 8th graders are looking forward to a lot of things this year,” I’m looking forward to winning our games this year as a team”. Just like the 7th graders, the 8th graders are also wanting to win City Championships this year, what are they working on, “ We are working on blocking, playing offence and defence, and many other things”. Many players have weaknesses that they need to work on, “My weakness in football would be blocking”. The 8th graders are working real hard just to win a game, it takes a lot to keep the on 0, but the team has the potential to do it. Do they learn anything after a game?, “ I learn how to be a good sport, no matter if we win or lose a game”.

Well a few years back we had a different coach, Mr.Bazzi. He worked real hard with his team, but never got that City Championship opportunity. “To win most of our games we practiced hard, and memorize our plays”. What does he think of this year’s coaches, “This year’s coaches are doing a great job, 3-0, an excellent job”. It must’ve been tough for Mr.Bazzi to help his team defeat the school that was difficult to beat, who was the team, how did he defeat them?, “Probably Stout was the difficult team to defeat, but I think we were better prepared that day”.

Now, this year we have new coaches, Mr.Smedley and Mr.Berkholz. They have been working so hard, helping their team, now they have a record of 3-0, 3 wins, zero losses. What do they they about this year’s team, “This team is one of the best football teams I’ve ever had, they are very knowledgeable and very hard.” said Mr.Smedley, “This years team work very well together. This has created some early success for us. Some teams have talented players but this is only one part of the equation that makes a team successful. Practicing hard and working together is also important. This group seems to have what it takes to win.” stated Mr.Berkholz. These coaches are working really hard with their team, but what exactly are they doing, “We are working on how to be disciplined on the field and in school. We want to be leaders of the school”, said Mr.Smedley, “ This season I am spending extra time working on a new defensive scheme. So far it has proven to be successful. The players have worked hard to earn their spots. It is a very talented group of athletes that work well together. As of now the defense has only given up one touchdown and no extra points this whole season. I consider that to be a great achievement for these players. The season is still not over  so there is more hard work to be done”. Stated Mr.Berkholz. These coaches are looking forward to a lot with their successful team, “I think we can win City Championships, because the boys are working very hard to achieve their goal.” said Mr.Smedley, “ Early successes has created a desire in the whole team to work extra hard and keep the in streak going. It is a long season and no doubt there will be some challenges along the way. For now we will focus on winning the next game. With the start we had I am looking forward to making the playoffs. That is our goal for the season. Once you make the playoffs anything can happen from there.” Stated Mr. Berkholz.

All of the 7th and 8th graders, along with their coaches are doing a great job this year. They are really working hard to keep their streak going, they have a lot of potential to reach their goal.

Dalia Farhat,

Middle School Journalist